You are here

Business News

The Indulge and Bloom flower shop has closed its doors after a six-year run in Laurel Village. H&R Block, which provides tax assistance, will open in the 1320 Hennepin Ave. S. location.

Shop owner Raed Kakish said customer flow had slowed to a trickle. He will continue running a shop in the skyway level of Gaviidae Common's Saks Fifth Avenue wing and has plans to open a store in Wayzata this spring.

Kakish recently became the shop's sole owner, buying out former co-owner Ed Piechowski, who now works full-time as a hair stylist at Take Five on First, 504 1st Ave. N.

"We preview the trends before they are out in the mainstream. We're always looking for the latest fun, funky thing," Kakish said.

The Gaviidae store is open 7 a.m.-7 p.m., Monday-Friday; and 10 a.m.-6 p.m. on Saturday.

-- Sarah McKenzie

New coffee gallery in Elliot Park

Art enthusiasts will soon have another destination in Elliot Park.

There are plans for a new art gallery and coffee shop in a two-story building at 609 S. 10th St., a space formerly occupied by Ubah Educational Services, which provides tutoring services for African immigrants.

The Ubah school has moved to North Minneapolis.

The coffee shop and bookstore will be called EP Atelier, which is French for "artist studio."

Sharon Kanon, a staff member of the neighborhood group, Elliot Park Neighborhood, Inc., received EPNI backing last fall for her business plan.

Kanon is partnering with Diane Ingram, who runs a music publishing company, and blues guitarist Lonnie Knight on the coffee shop and bookstore.

Gabrielle Clark, a real estate agent working on the deal, said she expects the gallery and coffee shop to be open this spring. Local artist Richard White will run the art gallery and plans to feature a range of indigenous art.